Tuesday 24 November 2009

Argos Superstore

The argos superstores are where argos sell most of their products on the high street. The smaller stores are still around, but there are now more and more superstores dominating the retail parks across the country. Argos built these stores to create more space for their huge stock levels, and also for the customers. The small shops get really busy at peak times, and everyone hates to queue for ages in a cramped environment. The profits made from the argos store card are what pays for the cost of building new stores, so you get some idea of just how much money they make on this card.

The expansion has certainly slowed down in the past year as the credit crunch hits home. However, argos uk are one of the few catalogue companies that still operate on the high street as well as on the internet. They introduced the check and reserve system that everyone else has copied. This system works for argos because they have so many high street shop around the country. Customers can order online and pick up at their local store for no extra cost. Local usually means on a retail park because it costs less to build them there than in the city centres. It also gives people free parking when they shop, and is the main reason for their success.

The argos superstores are very modern and much better laid out than the small stores. The new system is more efficient and less time consuming for their customers, and the quick ordering and payment points are welcomed. You still have to wait at the collection barrier for your order to be brought to you from the stock warehouse. However, the larger argos extra stores contain virtually everything that you will find in the catalogue, so you will have more of a chance of your items being in stock and ready for you.

Some of the argos shops have closed down in the last year, due to the tough economic trading times, but also from the competition from the likes of tesco and asda. These are like two giants waiting to knock argos off their perch, and it will be challenging times ahead no doubt. Argos do have vast resources, but even these cannot compete with the supermarket buying power, which is all powerful at the moment. The superstores will continue to be around for the foreseeable future, and if anything it is the small shops that will go first. Whilst the internet continues to grow, and online sales do keep getting better, they are still dwarfed by the high street sales, and argos has a big advantage over most of the others by keeping a strong presence there.

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